The ketogenic diet or keto diet is a low carb, high fat diet that offers many health benefits. It can help the body burn more fat, reduce hunger, and reduce blood sugar levels. In fact, many studies show that this type of diet can help you lose weight and improve your health. Ketogenic diets may even have benefits against diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The average person eats a meal rich in carbs, their body takes those carbs and converts them to glucose for fuel. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy when carbohydrates are present.
However, things are different on keto. When you eat less than 50 grams of carbs a day, your body eventually runs out of fuel. This typically takes 3 to 4 days. so, when those carbs aren’t present, your body must use another form of energy to keep things ticking. Then you’ll start to break down protein and fat for energy, which can make you lose weight. This is called ketosis.
Normally Blood, urine, and breath tests are available, which can help determine whether you’ve entered ketosis by measuring the number of ketones produced by your body. Certain symptoms may also indicate that you’ve entered ketosis, including increased thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, and decreased hunger or appetite.
People use a ketogenic diet most often to lose weight, but it can help manage certain medical conditions, like epilepsy, too. It also may help people with heart disease, certain brain diseases, and even acne, but there needs to be more research in those areas.
Benefits of a ketogenic diet
1. Weight Loss
2. Control Blood Sugar
3. Mental Focus
4. Increased Energy & Normalized Hunger
5. Epilepsy
6. Cholesterol & Blood Pressure
7. Insulin Resistance
8. Acne
Side Effects of Going Keto
-The “Keto Flu”
Some people report that when they start ketosis, they just feel sick, there can sometimes be vomit, gastrointestinal distress, a lot of fatigue, and lethargy. You may be able to minimize the effects of keto flu by drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of sleep.
-Diarrhea
If you find yourself running to the bathroom more often while on a ketogenic diet, this may be due to the gallbladder-the organ that produces bile to help break down fat in the diet. Diarrhea can also be due to a lack of fiber in the keto diet
-Ketoacidosis
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you shouldn’t follow the keto diet unless you have your doctor’s permission and close supervision. That’s because, for people with diabetes, ketosis can trigger a dangerous condition called ketoacidosis. This occurs when the body stores up too many ketones-acids produced as a byproduct of burning fat-and the blood becomes too acidic, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
